Octopus Aruba. Genuine care & comfort and the highest quality service on Aruba. UNIQUE CATAMARAN EXPERIENCES. Sailing, Snorkeling, Sunset, Private Tours and Boat Rental

●●○○#11 of 38 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Palm - Eagle Beach

Octopus Sailing Charters

Name: Octopus Sailing Charters
Rating: 4.7

★★★★½4.7 out of 5 · 3,534 reviews

water

outdoor

Photo: © Management via TripAdvisor

Octopus Sailing Charters is a water activity in Aruba rated 4.7/5 by 3,534 TripAdvisor reviewers; from about $75 per person; lasts 3 hours.

About

Octopus Sailing Charters runs three-hour trips off the Palm-Eagle Beach coast, and the 4.7 rating across thousands of reviews suggests they keep things consistent. The Travelers Choice award backs that up. It's a mid-intensity outing — you're on a catamaran, not in a kayak — so it works for most ages and fitness levels. The boat makes stops for snorkeling and usually swings by a shipwreck or two depending on conditions. Crew handles the sailing; you handle the sunscreen. The $75 price point sits in the middle of the water sports market here, which tracks for a half-day charter with gear included. Groups tend to be mixed, so expect other travelers. Book directly through their site. Morning departures are cooler and the water's usually calmer before noon, though afternoon light is better for photos if that matters to you.

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At a glance

Category: water
Duration: 3 hours
Price: $75
Minimum age: None
Intensity: ●●○○○
Setting: outdoor
Booking partner: direct
Product ID: —

Photos

Beautiful Champagne Brunch to start off our day, flowed right into our private sailing adventure and ended the night with a beautiful sunset. High quality service coming your way with some upgrades to all of our trips :) Looking forward to the next sail!

🌅 Sunset Vibes, Perfect Sips! 🌴 Experience the magic of Aruba’s breathtaking sunsets aboard our luxurious catamaran. 🛥️✨ One of our amazing crew members is here to make your evening unforgettable, serving refreshing cocktails as you soak in the stunning views. 🌊🍹 Ready to create memories you’ll cherish forever? Check out our variety of tours and book your spot

#loveisland #palmbeacharuba #mimosa #champagne #love #vacation #arubablue #arubalove #sightseein

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Visiting in October?

You're visiting during shoulder season when crowds are moderate and construction is common at several resorts. Weather is warm and humid, with occasional rain showers, but beaches remain beautiful. October sees returning visitors enjoying quieter beaches and Eagle Beach's exceptional calm waters.

Based on 150 traveler reports

Travelers are asking…

Live questions from the community.

Visitors sought catamaran or sailing trips that pair snorkeling stops with open bar and sunset views
The short answer: Jolly Pirates is the standard—4.7 rating, $$ tier, four hours including snorkeling, open bar, and meal. Blue Melody & Black Pearl run similar itineraries with a 4.9 across 2,000+ reviews. Octopus is the shorter option at three hours. All depart from Palm Beach area; book ahead in high season.
- Jolly Pirates runs four-hour cruises with snorkeling, open bar, and BBQ from Hadicurari pier
- Blue Melody and Black Pearl Sailing offer combined sunset and snorkeling with strong reviews
- Octopus Sailing Charters provides three-hour trips with positive repeat experiences
Asked by 10 travelers this week

Recent Pulse

What travelers are saying.

Trending up

High confidence

Travelers say Octopus Sailing delivers reliably on crew attentiveness and drink service across both snorkeling and sunset trips. Named crew like Lex, Shaka, Jose, and Maurice appear repeatedly in reviews for engaging guests and keeping drinks refilled every 10–15 minutes. The snorkeling stops at shipwrecks and reef sites consistently produce turtle and large fish sightings, though a few guests note the catamaran itself shows age with worn seating and occasionally blown speakers. Three negative reviews from late August cite spilled drinks met with dismissive responses and microwaved appetizers falling short of the 'savory bites' description.

Standing out

Crew refills drinks every 10–15 minutes and remembers guest preferences throughout the trip
28 mentions
“Drinks kept flowing and crew circulated regularly to ensure glasses stayed full”
Snorkeling at shipwreck and reef sites produces turtle sightings and fish larger than aquarium specimens
12 mentions
“Saw very large species at the reef and multiple turtles at both dive spots”
Named crew members like Lex, Shaka, Jose, and Maurice engage personally with guests and accommodate special needs
18 mentions
“Crew helped daughter with autism feel comfortable and encouraged timid swimmers”
Food service includes wraps, fruit kabobs, sliders, and desserts served throughout the trip
14 mentions
“Snacks came every 10–15 minutes including tuna wraps, fresh fruit, and cupcakes”

Watch-outs

Three late-August reviews report crew dismissed spilled drinks with 'it will dry' instead of providing cleanup assistance
3 mentions
“After spilling cocktail on pants, crew said it would dry and brought one paper towel”
Appetizers described as microwaved frozen items rather than fresh savory bites advertised
3 mentions
“Food seemed like basic microwaved snacks, mini hot dogs and soggy frozen apps”
Catamaran shows wear with older seats, hard backs on most seating, and one blown speaker noted
4 mentions
“Vessel was older, only ten people get comfortable lounge seats, rest are low with hard backs”

Tips from travelers

Arrive at check-in start time to claim the ten comfortable lounge seats before they fill
Wear shoes you can step into beach water with when boarding the water taxi to the catamaran
Request pescatarian or vegan food options in advance for small additional fee
Ask for crew members Lex, Shaka, Jose, or Maurice by name when booking

Maybe skip if: Travelers with limited mobility or those expecting pristine vessels and gourmet appetizers should look elsewhere, as boarding requires a water taxi transfer and the catamaran shows age.

More activities

OutdoorFrom $100© Management via TripAdvisor

Around Aruba Tours

Around Aruba Tours runs UTV excursions out of Noord, and the #1 ranking among outdoor activities in the area reflects thousands of trips without drama. This is a four-hour route through Arikok and the natural sites on the east side—caves, the Natural Bridge ruins, Alto Vista Chapel—straightforward land touring without the add-ons some operators bundle in. The price sits at $100, which puts it between the budget half-day trips and the seven-hour safaris that include natural pool swims and cruise port coordination. What you're paying for is reliable organization and the UTV format itself, which handles the dirt roads better than most rental cars and feels more hands-on than riding in a van. The 4.9 rating across 7,600-plus reviews suggests the operation runs consistently. If you want the longer day with natural pool access, ABC Tours offers that at a higher tier. If you just want the backcountry without committing to a full-day schedule, this is the middle option that works.

land

Exploring the hidden treasure only accessible on our tour.

ABC Tours Aruba

ABC Tours Aruba operates out of Oranjestad and has held the #3 spot among outdoor activities in the capital for a reason — it's a full-day commitment. The standard safari runs seven hours, which is longer than most competitors, and covers Arikok National Park, the natural pool, caves, and a handful of beaches in one loop. That scope explains the $150 price point, which is about double what shorter half-day land tours charge elsewhere on the island. The back-to-back Travelers Choice awards and the volume of reviews point to consistent execution, and the guides get mentioned often — not just for driving, but for pacing the day so it doesn't feel like a forced march. Families book this because the private routes skip the roughest terrain and can accommodate infants, which matters if you're trying to see the interior without bounce-testing a car seat. If you're on a cruise, ABC coordinates timing around port schedules. If you'd rather spend half the day at a beach club, this isn't that.

land

Choose a Snorkel or Sunset Cruises aboard the Jolly Pirates.

Jolly Pirates Cruises

Jolly Pirates runs a four-hour catamaran cruise out of Hadicurari, the fishing pier on the northwest coast near the high-rise hotels. The boat is ranked #7 among Oranjestad water sports for a reason: multiple snorkel stops, rope swings off the stern, and a crew that keeps the vibe relaxed without being forced. You'll hit at least two reef sites, and the water is shallow enough that kids can snorkel comfortably—this is the lowest-intensity water activity in the category. Morning departures include a full meal; afternoon trips are drinks only, so check the schedule when you book. At $90, it's positioned between De Palm Tours' beach club package with slides and banana boats and the pricier land-based jeep safaris. If you want open water over a beach club, and sailing over driving through Arikok, this is the call. Book direct through their site. Cash tip for the crew is standard.

water

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Pairs well with

Around Aruba Tours

The Butterfly Farm

The Butterfly Farm sits just off the main Palm Beach hotel strip, a climate-controlled mesh enclosure where hundreds of tropical butterflies from Central and South America move through their full life cycle. It's ranked #3 among Oranjestad activities and has back-to-back Travelers' Choice awards, which makes sense once you're inside — the guides walk you through metamorphosis in real time, pointing out pupae about to hatch and explaining which species migrate thousands of miles in the wild. The space is small enough to cover in 30 minutes, but most people stay longer. Butterflies land on you if you wear bright colors or stay still near the feeding stations. It's one of the few indoor nature experiences on an island that's mostly beaches and desert, and it works for kids without talking down to adults. Your ticket is good for return visits during your stay, so some people come back early in the morning when the butterflies are most active.

Kukoo Kunuku

Kukoo Kunuku runs adults-only party bus tours out of Noord, hitting multiple bars across the island over about three hours. The #3 ranking among Noord's food and drink options reflects steady execution — it's not a club or a restaurant, just an efficient way to see a few nightlife spots without sorting transport yourself. The bus vibe is the whole point; if you're after a quieter tasting experience, this won't suit. Tours include drinks at each stop and the onboard atmosphere leans loud and social. Private bus bookings start around $750 if you're organizing a group event. The 2025 Travelers Choice signals consistent reviews, though some visitors note the bus itself is tight on space and drinks don't flow during transfers between venues. If you're spending an evening in Aruba and want structure plus a built-in crowd, this handles it. Just know it's evening entertainment, not a daytime adventure — the intensity rating reflects bar hopping, not hiking.

Beaches nearby

Eagle Beach

Eagle Beach runs along the southwestern coast between the high-rise strip and the airport, and it's consistently ranked among the Caribbean's best beaches. The sand is white and wide, the water is calm and swimmable, and the iconic divi divi trees lean sideways from decades of trade winds — those same winds that earned it four Travelers Choice awards also mean you'll deal with blowing sand most afternoons. The #5 ranking among Palm-Eagle Beach attractions reflects what it does well: fewer crowds than Palm Beach, better sand than most hotel beaches, and enough space that you can claim a spot without stepping over tourists. It's popular with couples and wedding parties for a reason — the divi divis photograph beautifully and the vibe is quieter than the action up north. Snorkeling is unremarkable here; the marine life and visibility don't compete with Baby Beach or Malmok. If you're bringing small kids, the wind can turn a beach day into a sand-in-everything situation. Visit early if you want calmer conditions.

Palm Beach

Palm Beach runs along the high-rise hotel strip on the northwest coast, and the location is the whole selling point. You're steps from restaurants, bars, and nightlife — Bugaloé Pier alone has rentals, food, and drinks without leaving the sand. The beach ranks #7 among Palm–Eagle Beach attractions and pulls a Travelers Choice Best of the Best nod, so the crowds show up. That means limited towel space and a lively atmosphere that skews resort-entertainment rather than quiet escape. The tradeoff: water quality takes a hit from watersport boat traffic. Reviewers flag visible fuel and oil in the shallows, and the ocean floor can look murky. If snorkeling or pristine swimming matters, Baby Beach or Eagle Beach will serve you better. Palm Beach makes sense if you want convenience — walk off the sand to dinner, catch July 4th fireworks from the high-rises, or grab a cocktail without moving your car. The wind stays calmer here than on other parts of the island, which helps for floating but doesn't fix the boat residue.

Source: TripAdvisor · view on TripAdvisor →

Photos by individual contributors as credited above.

Review summaries are AI-paraphrased from public traveler reviews.

Octopus Sailing Charters

Not sure how this fits your trip?

Around Aruba Tours

ABC Tours Aruba

Jolly Pirates Cruises

Around Aruba Tours

The Butterfly Farm

Kukoo Kunuku

Eagle Beach

Palm Beach

Around Aruba Tours

The Butterfly Farm

Kukoo Kunuku

Eagle Beach

Palm Beach

Malmok Beach